Navigation

· If unusually your luggage didn't arrive someone will direct you to the desk   that sorts it out. If you need a visa on arrival you might need to sort that out now.  There is always plenty of signage and people around to help you out.

· Usually, Immigration wants to see your passport (with at least 6 months validity past the end of your trip), your boarding pass and the Embarkation and Disembarkation card that you filled out on the plane. They will tear it in half and staple one half in your passport. Sometimes they just slide it in between the pages. Don't lose it. You'll need it when you leave.

· Once you your stamp head to Customs, give them the customs form you filled out on the plane and depart through nothing to declare lane in customs.  When you return home you should declare any items you've picked up that   are on the form or you're not sure about. Often the line is shorter and they are very helpful checking out what you have and dealing with any problems it may have.

· Now that you've legally arrived and entered this new country you can head to the official taxi rank or shuttle, express train or bus connection. In the bad old day’s airport taxis had the potential to be very dangerous. Thankfully airports around the world have cleaned up this scourge and it's worth paying a bit more to support the official taxis. If you are travelling alone the train or bus will be cheapest. If there are 2 or 3 of you a taxi may be cheaper. Plus, the taxi takes you to the door of your hotel.

· When you arrive at your hotel it is worth grabbing a few of their business cards off of the reception counter to help you find your way home at night time when you leave your phone in the safe. It's a good idea to take note of landmarks and even take some photos when you are navigating around a new area. Especially when parking a bicycle, scooter or vehicle somewhere with a lot of other similar ones.

· Often train stations have maps at their exits and these are good for taking a photo of on your way past. Mud maps, wi-fi passwords and anything else you need to remember or prove, just take a photo.

· Once you've arrived in the city you may need to find your way around on the public transport system. A city map of the metro lines is a great way to work out how you'll get to places. Most underground systems are easy to work out and the best way to beat the traffic. As mentioned, you can just use google maps on your phone. Ferries don't get stuck in traffic jams and neither do Sky Trains. Taxis, tuk tuk's and other short haul transport options are useful to get to stations, piers and when the traffic is lighter.

· Overnight trains are a great way to get around and save the cost of a night’s accommodation. There is something exciting about leaving the station which takes you back to your childhood days and the excitement of a journey.

· Bus stations can be chaotic at times. Generally, someone will point you in the   right direction if you tell them where you are going. You have to be careful in some countries because your bag will not be safe on the roof or in the baggage space. Keep it where you can keep an eye on it.

· When you arrive at the destination bus or train station there should be a crowd of tuk tuk, songthaew, jeepney, trike, bemo, jumbo, (small vehicle) drivers waiting to take you the last stretch to your hotel. These short trips often cost as much or more than the main bus / train trip. So, know the price and don't let them rush you.

· When you arrive on certain islands, border crossings and other areas they may have a transport mafia with rip off prices that cannot be negotiated or avoided. Plus, they pack you in and don't leave until they are full. This can be   a problem with land borders when they know you have no alternative. But you can try and move on to find someone else more reasonable.

· Most tourist countries now have bilingual signs so if you can read English, you shouldn't have any problems. Road signs often have numbers too. Shinjuku Train Station in Tokyo for example has 200 exits. So, you need to know where you are going.

· Another quirky thing in Japan is that the building numbers are not sequential. They could be in the order they were built or some other system. There are small police booths with maps located around the neighbourhoods but the easiest way is to let a taxi driver get you there.

· Modern technology does remove that opportunity for some interaction with the locals so just stop to say hello now and then. You will actually find you are navigating things all the time. Traffic, culture, cuisine, red tape, language, moods, petty theft, scams etc and it can become overwhelming at times. Don't let it get to you. Have a day or night off. Splash out for a meal or just go to the movies. You'll soon be over it and ready for the next adventure.